2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

rbarbot

I read a response about someone having this issue due to a key problem. I started using my other spare key and the car has not had the problem in a week. I'm gonna give it some more time, then inform the dealer. Don't know why a key would work sporadically. I guess there's a chip in them or something, perhaps it is faulty. Will keep you updated.

tjc78

If your car has the anti theft system than the key does have a chip in it. One problem can be what else is on your key ring. If you have other "chip" keys or transmitters that can cause problems with the system.

jlsexton

Since we picked the same color, Titanium Metallic,(a long way to say Silver), I"m curious how you like the remote start and will reserve comment.

bluesman3

Just to clarify, my remote start isn't the Toyota system, I bought an AutoStart AS-2300-TW. $399 installed. I knew the Toyo system is crap.

It is nice, I'll be very happy when it's 10 degrees F outside and I can start the car for a warm up. The inverse is next summer when it's 98 degrees..... Auto climate controls and heated seats!!

I do wish the buttons on the remote were recessed slightly on the control, a few times I've put the key in my pocket and the trunk button gets hit for an open. Once I came outside and the car was running! I need to have them program it so it takes two button hits to send the signal.

jlsexton

Good for you, do you have the smart key system on your touring. That was the ONLY reason I went with the Denso unit, I did not want to carry TWO remotes, now I wish I had and it is CRAP but no one cares at Toyota Cares. I just may get something else put in as this thing is frustrating to try to get it to work. So much for QUALITY.

bluesman3

Smart Key isn't available on the Touring.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I wonder if you can get an aftermarket Smart Key system to adapt?

jlsexton

I really do not know but perhaps someone out there might be able to help. I am finally getting used to not using a key, is it better, just a personal choice. Good luck with yours, I have less than 1000 miles, at this point ALL cars are usually good, although my Camry was superb. And I repeat DO NOT WASTE YOU MONEY ON THE REMOTE START, GO AFTER MARKET. This to all considering it. As far as the GPS, buy a magellan NUVI.

kuyper

My 06 Avalon Limited with JBL Sound problems does have the DVD NAV system but I did't think they were interconnected.
By the way__ The system stopped working while driving to church this AM but started working again on the way home!!

gladiator99

You probably mean the Garmin nuvi 350. I purchased a Garmin Nuvi earlier this year and it has performed flawlessly. It is also a mp3 player, and picture viewer, language translator, etc. It was rated no 1 by consumers reports in their August issue. It is easily moved from one vehicle to another. Our 05 Avalon has been great and this nav system is about 1/3 the cost of the factory gps from Toyota.
Take care!!

ski1003

I have tried using spare key. Thought it solved the problem but still does it with spare key. No other keys with chip on my key chain. Had the car in for oil change today and asked them to check out this problem. Found nothing. Said they would continue to check with Toyota for this type of problem. Let me know how your spare key continues to work.

05avforum

I think something is wrong with my front end of my 2005 LTD with 17K miles. I feel a slight knock in the steering wheel, especially when I am driving very slow and turning the wheel a lot, as in parking, etc. I also noticed lately that I get a slight shimmy when I brake somewhat hard. I had the brakes checked at 15K and they could not find anything wrong. Now I think it may be something slightly off or loose in the front end. Anyone have this experience or know what it could be?

havalongavalon

I had both these problems fixed in my 2005 XLS recently.

The light knocks I could feel in the steering wheel while turning at slow speeds, required replacing the steering column. There is a TSB that describes this defect.

At the time I took the car in for that repair I was also experiencing some shimmy when braking from a good speed down a hill. This was due to warping of the front rotors. The rotors and pads were replaced under warranty.

My car had a bit over 25,000 km then.

dan41

I had the same issue with my 05 Limited and the dealership replaced the steering column.

tkevinc1

Do you have any info on the TSB? My car has the same issue and I reported it to them months ago. The dealership told me it was just the VSC or ABS and was normal. I had to explain to them that my car did not have VSC and that the ABS should not be activating when you're not pressing the brakes. Then they just said they didn't see anything abnormal. I would like to have the TSB# to give to them. I found one on the NHTSA site but it has not details listed other than steering column noise.

b1gator

I have just noticed the same problem with my 05 LTD in the past few weeks and it feels like there is some type of binding in the steering wheel. I looked at the recall notice and called the dealer and they said it had been complied with on my car. I believe they just inspected it though and said it was OK. I'm taking it in to have them look at it tommorrow. :confuse:

havalongavalon

I believe it was TSB #00206 -- STEERING COLUMN NOISE. *TT (NHTSA ID #10019669, MARCH 14 2006).

In my car the noise was subtle and was not audible, rather I could feel a tapping noise in the steering wheel during tight right turns going uphill at 20-30 km/h. I could feel it pretty much every time I drove into and out of a traffic circle on my usual way home.

b1gator, it may help to take the service manager or mechanic to a location where your car often exhibits its noise problem.

For the record, this steering noise issue should not be confused with an earlier TSB (or recall) about a missing weld on the steering assembly that affected a few of the first few thousand Avalons built in 2005.

tkevinc1

Thanks for the help. That was it. I took that to the Service Manager and he agreed this applied to my issue. They ordered the part and this will be corrected next week.
********
He also helped me resolve a problem with the rear window glass rattling. This is the actual rear glass and not door glass. He told me they were seeing a lot with rattle where the glass meets the headliner directly behind the drivers head. There is a metal clip that was there for guiding the glass on installation. If it was bent at all it will eventually start to rattle. He pulled down the corner of the headliner, bent the clip with a screwdriver and the sound was gone on my return trip home.

jlsexton

To all, there was a RECALL on th 05's, something about the steering column not being welded properly, I'm not exactly sure but all should have received a notice. Read about it on a blog.

pat

Actually, the issue can be read about here on this blog by using the Search This Discussion feature.

kbroman

Had my 2005 limited towed twice due to a dead battery. Took three weeks for Toyota to find that the JBL pre amp was defective which led to massive power drains leaving us stranded.

andy82471

Wow !!!!!! I am actually part of a blog. Didn't even know that. Coool

jlsexton

These are your thoughts at 0709....................

andy82471

Yeah. I am on vacation. So I have plenty of time on hand. I hear about blogs all the time without realizing I was a blogger myself. :P

abdulbasit8

"I did have a squeak in the rear seats which the dealer could not fix. I figured it out myself and fixed it with a quick adjustment of a single bolt. Overall this car has been great. It is my sixth toyota and is performing to the top quality standards that I have come to expect." (madmancd)

how did you fix this squeaking sound ?

abdulbasit8

"I did have a squeak in the rear seats which the dealer could not fix. I figured it out myself and fixed it with a quick adjustment of a single bolt. Overall this car has been great. It is my sixth toyota and is performing to the top quality standards that I have come to expect." (madmancd)

how did you fix this squeaking sound ?

b1gator

Anyone who has had this problem Diagnosed and fixed, if it was something in the steering column other than the missing weld, what did it turn out to be? After having mine in last week, of course the dealer said the recall had been complied with and could not find any problem, but the problem continues. :confuse:

bluesman3

Yes, do tell! I seem to have the same issue, a squeek or rattle in the rear seat or package tray. I can hear it with the radio off or at low volume.

havalongavalon

b1gator,

As I mentioned in post #13214, my tapping problem was diagnosed as per TSB #00206 -- STEERING COLUMN NOISE. *TT (NHTSA ID #10019669, MARCH 14 2006) and was fixed by replacing the entire steering column. I am not sure what actually caused the tapping noise, only that this noise was unrelated to the recall about a missing weld. My car had been checked earlier and was not missing any welds.

Did you mention TSB #00206 to your dealer? I had to point this out to my service manager in order for him to recognize the need for this fix.

Good luck,

havalongavalon

havalongavalon

If it's an occasional "chirpy bird" type of squeak, this was fixed in my car by lubricating the shaft where the rear seatback rotates.

b1gator

Thanks havalong I missed that in your earlier post, maybe I can get somewhere with this.

jlsexton

G-D bless, I'm retired and never think at all at 0700.

madmancd

You will need a size 12 socket with a 2" extender and a small flat screwdriver. Once you obtain the tools then open your rear door. Ensure the seat is in the full upright position. Then place one knee on the seat with the other leg on the ground outside the car. Remove the seat head rest (It slides right out). Next grab the seat belt holders on both sides of the seat located at the top of the seat. Shake the seat vigorously and you should hear the squeak. Next look in the location of the missing head rest and you will see a small plastic access opening (you can't miss it). use the screwdriver to pop open the hatch and you will see a bolt. Use your ratchet to slightly remove some tension from the bolt. Then shake the seat again and you should see that the squeak has gone. Note that you may have to adjust this bolt either way to make the squeak go away. use trial and error. I got this on the first try on one seat and two adjustments on the second seat. I just returned from a 5000 mile road trip and not a single squeak. The car performed like a super comfortable dream!!!! Hope this helps.

dispencer1

Earlier this month I rented a 2006 XLS Avalon for several long trips in Florida. I drove it from Orlando to Gainesville, then down to Ft. Lauderdale, back to Gainesville then back to Orlando, mainly on the Florida Turnpike. The car was quiet around town but seemed to have lots of road and wind noise at 70-75 MPH. I know this may depend on the road surface but I was suprised. I'm considering an Avalon instead of another Deville ( now DTS) next year. Gas mileage is better and the interior is much nicer. The local Toyota dealer says that the tires may have been overinflated but the tire monitor didn't register anything out of the ordinary. Since you all own Avalons I'd be interested in your experiences with road/tire/and wind noise. My Cadillac seems to be quieter.

niteone

2006 Avalons don't have tire monitors....it started with the 2007's

my avalon is very quiet on the highway. Must be the tire pressure.

dispencer1

Thanks for the information. I'll rent another on on a next trip and check tire pressure myself. I didn't check to see if it had a tire pressure monitor. I've had problems with the one on my Cadillac and would prefer not to have one.

bluesman3

The system on you Caddy is probably the old tire rotational monitoring method through the ABS, they're prone to false readings. The govt. recently ruled those as inadequate for tire pressure monitoring, all the new systems must be a direct pressure reading device inside the tire.

I've had my 07' Touring for a month and so far no issues with my TPMS. I've even swapped out the sensors to another set of wheels (07' Touring to 06' Limited rims). No problems to report.

bobwiley

dispencer: I think I'm correct when I say the XLS has Bridgestone tires. I took the Bridgestones off my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd and put on Michelins--soooooooo much quieter. I have an 06 Avalon Ltd---it comes with Michelins---the car is "crypt" quiet. My dealer does undercoat all his Toyota's and I know that helps. Test drive a Limited with Michelins--I know you'll find a diffeence. Avy is one seet car--75-80 MPH on the Oklahoma I-44 turnpike and 30+MPG--a Caddy won't do that! Room and comfort is awesome-----FINEST car I've ever owned! Good luck!
Bob

rbarbot

Well, I thought maybe it was a bad key because I didn'
t have the cranking problem for around 2 weeks. Then it started again. My wife had a couple incidents, too. Most of the time, this problem is when the car is started cold in the morning. It's not like a difficult starting, it's like the ignition has been disabled and it will just crank forever without any firing. I can't be the only one with this problem.

captain2

would surprise me that you would find even XLS or Ltd. trim Avalons to be quite the isolation chambers that the 'old style' Deville/DTS is - the STS/CTS a different story. Have heard reports of Avs being delivered with too much tire pressure (40 psi+), 32-34 seems about right to cut back some road noise, along with switching out those Bridgestones when the time comes.

dispencer1

Bob - Thanks for the note. The car did have Michelins which is why I was suprised at the noise. Of course there are several models of Michelins. Before I buy one I'll do a test drive on the highway. The car is smaller than my '03 Deville -at least 2" narrower and trunk capacity is smaller as well, but the car is far more luxurious inside. I like the certified Cadillacs with the 100k 6 year 0 deductible warranty and a one year old DTS with 15k miles will run around $28K. A new Avalon runs $5k more but resale value after three or four years is lots better. I'm also considering a two year old Lexus LS430. I can get one for around $36k and resale value is unbelievable after the initial drop. I'm not going to do anything till 2008 but the Avalon will be a strong contender.

dispencer1

As I recall the car had Michelins but I didn't check the tire pressure. This was a 2006 XLS. Are you sure it had Bridgestones? I have a 2003 Deville and is is very quiet on the road depending on the road surface. I agree with you about the STS/CTS. A friend has a CTS and I've ridden in it all over the Dallas Metroplex. My 2006 Impala rides smoother and is lots quieter.

9119911

If you can stand the engine noise on the Caddy, keep it. I traded a 2003 Deville for a 2006 Avalon Limited and it has been in the shop constantly with transmission hesitation. As a matter of fact it's in shop now waiting for factory guidance. Too bad, nice car, but not as nice ride as the Caddy, I haven't noticed a big difference in gas mileage either. Good luck.

Cj

jdre86

I've posted instructions on disabling the VSC/TRAC a couple times now. Noone seems to latch onto it though. I know it works because I have an 06 Limited in Blizzard Pearl and I can assure you that it is a lot of fun to throw around in an empty parking lot. Maybe if I show everyone where I got it from someone will believe me. Here's the site...http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0601_lexus_gs430_vsc/

The only thing that I do different from the website is start the car with the parking brake already on. Then I disengage it, engage it, disengage it again, and engage it again. Then follow the rest of the directions. If you did it successfully you'll see the lights in the instrument panel. Have fun burning rubber but don't get too happy though. Those Michelins aren't cheap I hear.

abdulbasit8

thank you very much,

i shall try it today

dispencer1

I didn't notice the engine noise when I bought the Cadillac but now at 50k miles It is beginning to annoy me. They added soundproofing in the 2006/07 DTS. I'll drive one and see what the noise is like. Hope you get your Avalon out of the shop.

ski1003

Interesting, I haven't had the hard starting problem for about a month. I'm not sure why!! My hard starting was also when the car is started cold in the morning. Later on during the day, no problems. No answer yet from Toyota. I have mentioned this to the dealer every time I get oil change. There is no TSB on this problem, yet.

9119911

What gives? every time I click on the Avalon Engine Hesitation link a window shows saying "page cannot be found"
HELP!!!!!

Cj

pat

Those posts along with some others were consolidated into this discussion: Toyota Avalon (2005+) - Transmission Questions. I guess I should delete that message of mine to avoid confusing anybody else.

rbarbot

This Starting problem has really got me stumped. One other observation I have made is that more often than not if I back out of the garage onto the driveway, wash the car, then go to start it, the first turn of the key it cranks continuously. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the short distance I drove the car before turning it off, the fact that I only drove in reverse before turning it off, or the amount of time that it sits (30 minutes or so) before attempting to restart it.

jlsexton

Nothing you did would cause a hard starting problem but just what do you mean by that phrase. Does it crank but not start. Does it start and stop, please be more specific. I have a 21 year old Starion that starts on the first crank. Perhaps you have a sensor starting to go or a starter solenoid.